John Picacio launches creator-owned company

In less than two months since the San Antonio illustrator won the Hugo Award for best pro artist, Picacio’s already set up a new webstore to sell limited edition prints. Now he’s really opened the doors to his work with the launch of Lone Boy, his new creator-owned company.

Picacio kicks off Lone Boy with two personal projects: a 2013 calendar of his science fiction and fantasy book cover art and a fantasy version of the Mexican bingo game Lotería featuring all-new original art. (See samples of both projects above.)

“Everything that I’ve done in science fiction/fantasy has usually been stuff to promote somebody else’s book, somebody else’s writings…,” Picacio says. “But now I’ve gotten to a point in my career where I think I’ve built up enough experience, credibility and insight that I think I’ve got some things to say via my art that are my own.”

Expect Picacio to launch a Kickstarter for his 12-image calendar near the end of the month. After that, he’ll begin to unveil his Lotería series with more details in December.

In September, Picacio finally added the Hugo to his trove of accolades, which include the World Fantasy Award, the Locus Award and several Chesley Awards. The Hugo’s a lot like the Oscar in the sci-fi/fantasy industry — a prestigious honor that can also be a lucrative one. All the more reason Picacio’s riding that rocket trophy to what he hopes is a successful new business venture.

“You gotta roll the bones and take a chance…,” Picacio says. “I don’t make plan B’s. I only believe in plan A.”